Dust mites

Matter Cleaning mattress cleaning, mattress cleaning service provides services to clients in the areas of deep mattress cleaning, mattress steam cleaning, mattress disinfection, mattress ozonation, mattress impregnation including the sale of special mattress cleaners according to your request in top quality according to our internal company standards, IICRC™ guidelines and standards and professionally implemented POTEMA® system.

The VIROBAG® trademark defines the branded technology concept of a professionally qualified Carpet Service® implementation company focused on the regular antibacterial / antiviral maintenance, cleaning, disinfection, of synthetic, natural, wool, silk and American-made mattresses, beds and textiles in a dry way. This branded concept delivers the utmost professionalism in full synergy with maintaining ethical, environmental and quality performance standards including contractual guarantee of contractor services.

We are not unaware, however, that we share our home retreat with tiny mites. These tiny protozoans produce about 200 times their weight in excrement in their lifetime, turning our mattress into a zone with the highest concentration of allergens.

Facts about dust mites

• We sleep on a mattress for an average of 7 hours a day, spending 1/3 of our total life on it. A good quality mattress has a lifespan of up to 10-15 years on average, making it the longest used piece of furniture in our homes.
• There are about 1.5 million mites in our mattress, dead mites that leave their droppings, dead skin scales and mold. These elements are also found in carpets and upholstered furniture.
• During their lifetime, mites produce about 200 times more feces than their body weight.
• Dung mites are small balls coated with mucus. They become a fine powder that is like dust and contains an allergen called guanine.
• Guanine is known to cause allergic reactions in humans and is a major cause of asthma attacks. It causes inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes in the nose, as well as redness of the eyes and coughing.

What are mites?

Mites (Acarina) are small arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida. They are so small that they cannot normally be seen with the naked eye, ranging in size between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. Thousands of species of mites are known, but the most serious for humans are the house dust mites, especially the genera Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. These mites live mainly in house dust, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets and bedding.

House dust mites feed mainly on the scales of dead human skin. During sleep, microscopic particles of skin are peeled off our skin, providing the mites with a rich food source right in mattresses and beds. Mites can also eat moulds and other micro-organisms commonly found in the home environment.

Mite living conditions

Mites survive and reproduce in an environment that is warm and moist. Optimum conditions for their survival are temperatures between 20 and 25 °C and relative humidity between 70 and 80%. This is exactly the climate often found in our bedrooms, especially in mattresses, where our body heat and sweat provide the ideal humidity and temperature.

Rosquitoes tend to breed especially in enclosed spaces where they can survive for long periods of time, which is why mattresses, pillows and blankets are their preferred environment. A single mattress can contain several million mites, with each of these mattresses producing several hundred thousand allergenic particles per day.

Mite allergens and health risks

Mites are not themselves a direct cause of allergic reactions, but their droppings and dead bodies contain proteins that are highly allergenic. These particles enter the air when we move around in bed and then enter our respiratory system, which can trigger various allergic reactions. The most common symptoms include:

• Sneezing, itchy nose and nasal congestion.
• Itchy, watery and red eyes.
• Itchy skin, rash and eczema.
• Coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks.

Allergies to dust mites can occur at any time of the year, but are usually stronger in the winter months when we ventilate less and create a stable climate in our homes suitable for mite breeding.

The prevalence of mites in mattresses

Mites in mattresses are one of the most common sources of allergenic particles in homes. The mattress is an ideal environment for mites because it provides plenty of food, moisture and warmth. The average mattress can contain hundreds of thousands to millions of mites. Since the mattress is where we spend a significant part of our lives, we are constantly exposed to their presence.

Studies suggest that each person loses about 1.5 grams of skin per day, enough to saturate millions of mites. In addition, the mattress is where we sweat while we sleep, creating a moist environment that is ideal for mites.

How do I get rid of mites?

There are several ways to reduce dust mites in mattresses and thus minimize the risk of allergies. The most effective methods include:

Ventilating regularly and keeping the humidity low

Ventilating the room and maintaining low humidity are key factors that help reduce dust mites. Reducing humidity below 50% is usually effective, as mites die quickly at low humidity.

Regular washing of bedding

Bedding, sheets, blankets and pillows should be washed regularly at a temperature of at least 60 °C. This temperature effectively kills mites and removes their droppings. If washing at high temperatures is not possible, hypoallergenic products or special products designed to eliminate mites can be used.

Using special anti-mite covers

There are special covers for mattresses and pillows that are made of tightly woven materials that prevent the penetration of dust mites and their allergens. These covers are usually referred to as anti-allergenic or anti-mite and significantly reduce exposure to allergens.

Vacuum mattresses regularly

Even if vacuuming alone doesn’t completely eliminate dust mites, it can help remove much of the dust and allergens they produce. For more effective cleaning, vacuums with HEPA filters can be used to trap even the smallest particles.

UV radiation and steam cleaning

Mites are sensitive to UV radiation, which can be used to eliminate them. Some cleaning companies or specialist machines use UV light to disinfect mattresses. Steam cleaners can also be effective because the high temperature of steam cleaning kills dust mites and their allergens.

Ozone cleaning

Ozone eliminates not only odors because it kills the causative agent – bacteria – but all living microorganisms – viruses, bacteria, mites, spores, molds. It kills up to 99% of bacteria without the harmful effects of chemicals. Gentle and natural care does not damage things and helps to prolong the life of disinfected items. Disinfects all oversized mattresses within the vacuum mobile bag. Maxi bag features an exhaust port with a carbon filter that breaks ozone back into oxygen. Therefore, the ozonator can be safely used even in unventilated rooms.

Alternative methods

There are various alternative methods, such as the use of natural oils, which are said to repel dust mites. Tea tree oil is often recommended as it has antimicrobial and mite repellent properties.

Prevention of mite reoccurrence

Prevention is an essential step in keeping mite levels low in the home. Here are some preventive steps that can help:

• Ventilation – regular ventilation will reduce humidity, making it harder for mites to survive.
• Dust control – Thorough and regular cleaning will help reduce the amount of dust where dust mites are found.
• Environmental modification – keeping the temperature and humidity in the home at a lower level will help combat dust mites.

Choosing the right mattress and bedding

Choosing mattresses and bedding can play a vital role in preventing dust mite-related allergies. Some mattresses are designed with mite and allergen minimization in mind. Choosing a mattress made of hypoallergenic materials or materials that allow moisture to evaporate and dry quickly can greatly help in the fight against dust mites.

Hypoallergenic mattresses, pillows and blankets typically contain materials that are resistant to dust mites and provide a less suitable environment for them to breed. Examples of materials that are resistant to dust mites include latex and memory foam, which have natural antimicrobial properties.

Mite spray

Mite Spray neutralizes and biologically kills all mites, bed bugs and fleas in a mattress or textile in a very short exposure time. The water-based spray naturally contains only approved substances. TÜV Rheinland LGA also confirms the effective reduction of allergens and the express suitability for allergy sufferers thanks to the long-lasting effect of the spray for up to 3 months. Thanks to years of research, the product’s formulation is odourless and leaves no stains or residues of any kind on application. It can therefore be used without hesitation on various textiles (especially mattresses, but also sofas, blankets and carpets etc.), stretchable surfaces and even delicate materials. The product we use for pre-treatment of cleaned textiles is registered and approved in Germany by the BAuA. The ecological compatibility of the product is certified by the European Cosmetics Regulation.

• Response time / protection up to 3 months.
• DERMATEST “very good” / water-based
• No staining / odourless

Close

Powder mites are a common but problematic part of our home environment, especially in mattresses where they find ideal living conditions. The presence of dust mites can cause allergic reactions and other health problems. Observance of hygiene measures, regular cleaning and ventilation, correct choice of mattresses and bedding and preventive measures can significantly reduce the incidence of mites and thus allergic problems.